Murray State University
COURSE SYLLABUS
Revised Spring 2012
DEPARTMENT: ADOLESCENT, CAREER, AND SPECIAL EDUCATION
COURSE PREFIX: FCS
COURSE NUMBER: 413
CREDIT HOURS: 3
I. TITLE:
Marriage and Family Relationships
II. COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITE(S):
Exploration of personal values and personal development as they relate to traditional and
non-traditional marriage, and a study of family life styles in contemporary society.
Lecture, three hours.
Prerequisite(s): none
III. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Class activities will be centered on the attainment of the course objectives listed below.
These objectives are understood to be reflective of, but not limited to those behaviors
aligned with the Kentucky Core Academic Standards (KCAS), Characteristics of Highly
Effective Teaching and Learning (CHETL), and Assessment Literacy. Following each
objective, and enclosed in parentheses, are numbers which reference the Kentucky
Teacher Standards for Preparation and Certification (KTS) and CHETL standards
addressed by that objective. Upon successful completion of this class, students will be
able to
A. examine the functions of marriage (KTS #1; CHETL #4);
B. identify aspects of politics and culture that shape marriage (KTS #1; CHETL #4);
C. compare and contrast theories of marriage and family (KTS #1);
D. be able to identify processes of communication (KTS #1);
E. examine processes and preparations leading to marriage (KTS #1);
F. examine sexuality (KTS #1);
G. examine the process of pregnancy (KTS #1);
H. review the dual roles of marriage, work, and economics (KTS #1);
I. examine the aspects of remarriage, single parent families, and blended families (KTS
#1); and
J. Students will be able to write professionally for the field of education (KTS #1;
CHETL #2).
The COE Theme of Educator as a Reflective Decision-Maker is addressed in this course
by requiring students to reflect on readings, discussions in class and responding to student
questions as well as writing papers and analyzing case studies on topics related to
marriage and family relationships.
The EPSB Theme of diversity is integrated throughout the course as students study
differences in marriages and relationships within them along with issues in society that
affect marriages.
Learned societies from each discipline should be referenced by the preservice/inservice
teacher. Kentucky documents, including SB1 Initiatives (e.g., Kentucky Core Academic
Standards and Characteristics of Highly Effective Teaching and Learning) will be
resources for all teacher candidates.
IV. COURSE OUTLINE:
A. The Meaning of Marriage and the Family
B. Studying Marriage and the Family
C. Communication and Conflict Resolution
D. Singlehood, Pairing, and Cohabitation
E. Understanding Sexuality
F. Pregnancy and Parenting
G. Marriage, Work, and Economics
H. New Beginnings: Single Parent Families, Remarriages, and Blended Families
I. Marriage and Family Strengths and Needs
J. Senate Bill 1 Initiatives
V. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
A. Lecture with supporting materials
B. Class Discussions
C. Case Studies
D. Individual and/or Group Assignments
E. Presentations
*Other Instructional Activities Will Be Added as Needs Arise
VI. FIELD, CLINICAL, AND/OR LABORATORY EXPERIENCES:
None
VII. TEXT(S) AND RESOURCES:
Olson, D., DeFrain, J., & Skogrand, L. (2008). Marriages & families - intimacy,
diversity, and strengths. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill
A. Handouts
B. Videos
C. Chapter Study Guides
VIII. EVALUATION AND GRADING PROCEDURES:
A. Grades will be based on:
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Individual Project & Presentation
Reflection Papers
Case Study
Interview
1 @ 100 Points
1 @ 100 Points
100 Points
100 Points
100 Points
100 Points
50 Points
50 Points
500 Total Points
B. Grading Scale
All assignments are due on the assigned dates at the beginning of the class period. Any
assignment turned in after the assigned date will receive automatic point
deductions. No credit for late assignments after one week.
90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; 59% or below = E
IX. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are expected to adhere to the MSU Attendance Policy outlined in the current
MSU Bulletin.
Class attendance is expected. Students are responsible for all information presented in
class including lectures and class discussion, videos, guest speakers, etc. Excessive
absences or excessive tardies will result in lowered grades.
X. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
Murray State University takes seriously its moral and educational obligation to maintain
high standards of academic honesty and ethical behavior. Instructors are expected to
evaluate students’ academic achievements accurately, as well as ascertain that work
submitted by students is authentic and the result of their own efforts, and consistent with
established academic standards. Students are obligated to respect and abide by the basic
standards of personal and professional integrity.
Violations of Academic Honesty include:
Cheating - Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized information
such as books, notes, study aids, or other electronic, online, or digital devices in
any academic exercise; as well as unauthorized communication of information
by any means to or from others during any academic exercise.
Fabrication and Falsification - Intentional alteration or invention of any
information or citation in an academic exercise. Falsification involves changing
information whereas fabrication involves inventing or counterfeiting
information.
Multiple Submission - The submission of substantial portions of the same
academic work, including oral reports, for credit more than once without
authorization from the instructor.
Plagiarism - Intentionally or knowingly representing the words, ideas, creative
work, or data of someone else as one’s own in any academic exercise, without
due and proper acknowledgement.
Instructors should outline their expectations that may go beyond the scope of this policy
at the beginning of each course and identify such expectations and restrictions in the
course syllabus. When an instructor receives evidence, either directly or indirectly, of
academic dishonesty, he or she should investigate the instance. The faculty member
should then take appropriate disciplinary action.
Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to the following:
1) Requiring the student(s) to repeat the exercise or do additional related exercise(s).
2) Lowering the grade or failing the student(s) on the particular exercise(s) involved.
3) Lowering the grade or failing the student(s) in the course.
If the disciplinary action results in the awarding of a grade of E in the course, the
student(s) may not drop the course.
Faculty reserve the right to invalidate any exercise or other evaluative measures if
substantial evidence exists that the integrity of the exercise has been compromised.
Faculty also reserve the right to document in the course syllabi further academic honesty
policy elements related to the individual disciplines.
A student may appeal the decision of the faculty member with the department chair in
writing within five working days. Note: If, at any point in this process, the student alleges
that actions have taken place that may be in violation of the Murray State University
Non-Discrimination Statement, this process must be suspended and the matter be directed
to the Office of Equal Opportunity. Any appeal will be forwarded to the appropriate
university committee as determined by the Provost.
XI. NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY STATEMENT:
Murray State University endorses the intent of all federal and state laws created to
prohibit discrimination. Murray State University does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or
disability in employment, admissions, or other provision of services and provides, upon
request, reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to
afford individuals with disabilities equal access to participate in all programs and
activities. For more information, contact Sabrina Y. Dial, Director of Equal Opportunity,
Murray State University, 103 Wells Hall, Murray, KY 42071-3318. Telephone: 270809-3155 (voice), 270-809-3361 (TDD).
XII. FLAG SYSTEM/CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT:
Student progress is continuously assessed throughout the teacher preparation program.
Appropriate professional characteristics and dispositions, in addition to academic
achievement, are assessed. Positive and negative flags are submitted by faculty to
Teacher Education Services and then presented to admissions committees. Negative
flags are carefully reviewed to make a determination as to whether a student should be
denied admission OR if a professional development plan will be designed for the
student’s progress towards program completion. NEGATIVE FLAGS MAY BE
GROUNDS FOR DENIAL OF ADMISSION TO TEACHER EDUCATION
AND/OR STUDENT TEACHING.
Note: The instructor reserves the right to change the format of this course as
circumstances of the course demand.
FCS 413
Topical Outline
Class Date
Topics
January 14
Introductory Session Explanation of Syllabus
Overview of Course
January 21
Chapter 1 Chapter 2
January 28
Chapter 3
February 4
Chapter 4
February 11
Chapter 5 Project Presentations
February 18
Chapter 6 Project Presentations
February 25
Chapter 7 Review for Mid Term Examination
March 4
Mid Term Examination
March 11
Chapter 8
March 18
Chapter 9
March 25
Chapter 10 Project Presentations
April 1
Chapter 11 Project Presentations
April 8
Chapter 12 Case Study
April 15
Chapter 13 Project Presentations
April 22
Chapter 14
April 29
Chapter 15 Review for Final Examination
May 6
Final Examination
**This schedule may change as classroom needs arise.